University of Massachusetts


The enormous University of Massachusetts at Amherst illustrates the distinction between public and private higher education in the US. Founded in 1863 as the Massachusetts Agricultural College, it's now the keystone of the public university system in Massachusetts. About 24,000 students study at the sprawling campus, which occupies the north side of town.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. West Cemetery

0.57 MILES

For a peek at Amherst's colorful past, make your way to the West Cemetery, between Triangle St and N Pleasant St. Here you'll find the graves of Amherst's…

2. Emily Dickinson Museum

0.88 MILES

During her lifetime, Emily Dickinson (1830–86) published only seven poems, but more than 1000 were discovered and published posthumously, and her verses…

3. Beneski Museum of Natural History

1.12 MILES

Kids will dig the enormous woolly mammoth and dinosaur skeletons at this museum on the campus of Amherst College. Exhibits focus on the geological history…

4. Mead Art Museum

1.18 MILES

A small but scintillating collection of art works that span the globe, ranging from American and European paintings to Mexican pottery to West African…

5. Amherst College

1.2 MILES

Founded in 1821, Amherst College has retained its character and quality partly by maintaining its small size (1850 students). The scenic campus lies just…

6. Hampshire College

4.18 MILES

The region's most innovative center of learning is Hampshire College, 3 miles south of Amherst center on MA 116. Students here don't pick a major in the…

7. Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art

4.53 MILES

Co-founded by the author and illustrator of The Very Hungry Caterpillar, this superb museum celebrates book illustrations from around the world with…

8. Summit House

6.73 MILES

At the summit of Mt Holyoke, a former hotel dating from 1861 is now a museum and visitor center. Old photographs show Summit House as it was in its heyday…

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